Xbox One Oculus Rift Game Streaming Comes To Windows 10 PCs December 12th

Oculus Rift owners who also have an Xbox One console will pretty soon be able to stream their Xbox One games to their VR headset connected to a Windows 10 PC. It is an expansion of the ability to stream Xbox One games to Windows 10, a feature that rolled out to the masses with the Anniversary Update, and it also underscores the ongoing partnership between Microsoft and Oculus.

"At Xbox, we’re continuously exploring new ways for you to get the most out of your gaming experiences by providing the choice to play how you want, where you want and with whomever you want. With the launch of Windows 10 and the Xbox app, we first delivered the ability to stream your Xbox One games to your Windows 10 PC over your home network – and now, we’re bringing that experience to life, in partnership with Oculus, completely for free," Microsoft said.

Xbox One owners who are interested in streaming games to their Rift headset will simply need to download a special "Xbox One Streaming to Oculus Rift" app from the Oculus Store. The app connects the Xbox One to the user's home network, then streams the console's video output to the Rift where it's projected on a massive virtual display.

Users can choose between three immersive VR environments, including Citadel, Retreat, and Dome. None of those will actually let users play Xbox One games in VR though. The ability to stream to the Rift is more focused on giving gamers a big screen experience and a potentially private one to play violent or otherwise mature content without curious little eyeballs taking in the action.

The new streaming functionality could also help bolster sales of the Xbox One and Rift headset during the highly competitive holiday season. On Black Friday, the Microsoft Store will be giving $100 gift codes with the purchase of either the Rift or HTC Vive.

As for streaming from Xbox One to the Rift, the app that makes it possible will be available December 12.